Nuclear power greener/A Critique of Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactors

(Review Paper) Cited in Nuclear power greener/A Critique of Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactors

Points Made

This article studies the condition and outlooks of Ukrainian nuclear-power energy 25 years after the accident on the Chernobyl NPS and the recent accidents at Fukushima nuclear plant.

Methods

Research is being conducted on the following areas: •Prospective deep burial place for wastes •Metallic corps—the critical element of a nuclear reactor which determines term of exploitation and expiration dates. Experimental research is performed by developed countries to estimate the state of the metallic corps and predict terms of exploitation •Main ways of nuclear power developments are analyzed •Issues related to Nuclear Fuel Exhaust (NFE) are analyzed •Problems dealing with radioactive waste

Results

•Experimental research proved that the exploitation term of the metallic corps can be prolonged from 10 to 20 years. Ukraine would benefit if its corps of reactors had the same characteristic to allow for the prolongation of exploitation.

•Some of the main ways that Ukraine should implement for its nuclear power developments were identified to be the following

    -In order to increase the level of nuclear safety, reconstruction and modernization of its operating units is needed  
    -An extension of exploitation of operation power units 
    -Action of new reactor options
    -Ukraine should create its own NFC
    -Infrastructure is needed to deal with radioactive waste
    -Creation of an ecologically safe system
    -Development and production of systems that deal with atomic-industrial complexities

•In order for Chernobyl NPS to improve its growth and success in the future implementation of the steps to improve usage time and plant development is needed.